Vascular and joint exerciser



Feb, 24, 1942. G. ZERNE 2,274,574

VASCULAR AND JOINT EXERCISER Filed Au 16, 1938 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

1 Feb. 24, 1942.

VASCULAR AND JOINT EXERCISER Filed Aug. 16, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN G, A. ZERNE 2,214,574-

Feb. 24, 1942. e. A/ZERNE VASCULAR AND JOINT EXERCISER Filed Aug. 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q Patented Feb. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VASCULARAND JOINT EXERCISER Gustav A; Zerne, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application August 16, 1938 Serial No. 225,214

y I 4'Claims, The present invention relates to methods and means forexercising the limbs for thepurpose of relieving swollen extremities and limbs and also limbering up impairedjoint motions of said limbs.

The main object of my invention is to provide apparatus and suitable methods for effectively treating various swollen and disordered conditions of the extremities or whole limbs and/or impaired conditions of the body joints by means of special exercises according to certain new beneficial principles proposed herein.

Another object is to-have such apparatus which is capable of supporting to any desired degree the limb or limbs to be treated, while 'at'the same time allowing almost unlimited latitudefor beneficial movements according to the presentmethods of special exercises included in the inven A further object is to relieve, mitigate and even remove'altogether many disordered or impaired functional conditions of the limbs and joints resulting from disease or accidents, in a direct, extremely effective and convenient manner which avoids inconvenient and perhaps costly delays, and virtually opens up a new field in the healing art 1 It is also an object to have the apparatus made in very simple form which may be usedanywhere at full efficiency for any and all patientswhether of light, medium or heavy build, and whether tall or short. I I

' "Other objects and the several advantages inherent in, and accruing from the use of, my invention will appear more fully in detail as this specification proceeds. I

In the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, r

Fig. 1 illustrates a practical embodiment of the invention in actual use. 7

Fig. 2 is a modification in which the suspension, of the apparatus is provided, for by means of framesor stands. I v

Fig. 3 is a simple modification show ng the apparatus as used for the hand or arm rather than the foot or leg. I

Fig. 4 shows the corresponding parts as used for a leg, but partly open to reveal ,theconstruction better. 1

Fig. 5 illustrates an anchor plate with the various appurtenances of the same 1 as used ,in'

.the apparatus of Fig. 1. I

.Fig. .6 is a modification of one of rth'eir'esilient cords or strandsof thesame apparatus.

Fig. 7 is a modification of the entire apparatus of Fig; 1. a

Throughout the views, the same references indicate thesame or corresponding parts and features. Y I

In the practice ofm-y invention, a pair of .anchoring hooks or screw eyes,;etc., are secured to the ceilingat l, 1 in the room where the apparatus is intended to be installed, and to these hooks are vattachedanchor-plates 2, 2 which-are pierced by a number of holes through which a rubber cord or strand is passed as generally indicated at 3 so as to form groups of resilient strands or cords indicated at 4, 5 and 6. The cords in group 4 simply form a loop 1 while the group 5 is formed of six strands :of cords terminating in two loops 8 and!) and two free ends 'Hi and H to which are attached similar hook anchor members-i=2, 12. The group 6 is formed ofiourcords terminating in two loops l3, l4, and this-group is located on one side of the anchor platewhile the group 4 is located on the other side of the plate, both groups depending .freely and directly from this anchor plate. Between the two groups just mentioned is aguide plate 1-5 disposed below plate 2 through which all of the cords in group 5 are passed so as to be retained in asingle group despite the fact that the loops 8 and-9 are'on onegside of the anchor plate 2 and the two ends 10 and M are on the other side. In order -to further ensure thatall the cords intended for group 5 will remain together and will not beccmeentangl'ed with those of any other group, a loop guide member 16 is suspended by a cord ll from the anchor plate and retains group 4 within its loop I.8.and group 5 within its loop 19, these loops being separated sufficiently to keep the groupsdistinct.

To the lower ends or loops of the cords, attachment to a pair of hooks 20, 20 may be made, which in turn are secured'in a pair ofspacedeyelets 2|, 2| in the upper edges of :a leg sling 22 made of fabric, leather, rubber or any suitable flexible material. This sling is provided at one end'with-an insole strap-or support 23 secured at both ends to the sling so as to form a loop. If the cords of two-anchor plates are thus provided with leg slings as shown in Fig. 1, it will bepossible to have-a patient to :be treated and lying upon a table or support 24 merely insert both legs in the slings .so that in each case the foot rests against the looped strip 23. The cords or strands'supporting the slings ar preferably made of "live rubber, but as shown in fragmentary form in Fig. '6, may be madeofexp'ansion springs which may be covered with a fabric, rubber or leather sheath 25 encasing the spring 26 in each case to prevent the coils of one spring from becoming entangled with those of the rest.

However, when the legs are supported in the slings 22, the operator or attendant ascertains whether the cords attached to the hooks 20 fully support the weight of the legs of the patient without undue stretching, and if not, either or both of the loops I3 and I4 are also attached to the hook at the head end of each sling. It should be emphasized that at the outset, only loop 7 of cord group 4 is attached to hook -20 nearer the foot end of each sling, while loops 8 and 9 as well as the hook anchors l2, I2 by their lower apertures 26 are secured to the hook at the head end of each sling, wh'ich'is an average counterpoise for most people, but if a heavy person, or one with very swollen feet or legs, is treated, then the additional loops l3 and I4 may be used. It is obvious that if any loops are not used, they simply hang idle as loops l3 and 14 in Fig. 1, and are out of the way because they .are not, drawn down by any weight. On the other hand, if a patient is lighter, one or more of loops 8 and 9 or ends l and H may be released from their respective sling hook until the patients legs are held resiliently upward in the slings at a low angle of, say about 30 or so with reference to the horizon. In this supported and substantially weightless condition of the lower limbs, it will be found very easy to go through various movements, such as, for example, cycling motions to limb'er up the hip and knee joints and/or reduce swollen or other abnormal conditions of the feet and legs. Many other kinds of movements for various benefits to the lower extremities are possible and well within the range of the apparatus and any patient may be treated until the swelling or other troublesome condition is reduced, no matter what the weight of the patient, and as for the time involved, it may be stated that a half hour of exercise such as suggested above usually sufiices to reduce very considerable swellings of the feet so that the patient is definitely benefited in a manner which; may last for from one; to several days before the treatment may require to be repeated.

Sometimes it may be desired to treat the arms and/or hands of a patient, and in such a case a smaller type of sling or sleeve 21 may be adopted as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the hooks are used as before in securing the upper edges by passing through eyelets 28, 28, while the hand 29 of the patient is intended to grasp a hand grip 30 secured at one end of the sling in the form of a loop. Various movements may be carried out as the operator may find expedient for the intended benefit, whether circular, swinging or oscillating motions. While the foregoing apparatus and the method of its use have been described in connection with the resilient cords or strands and an anchor plate for the same, this ensemble may be replaced by various other forms of apparatus, such as even indicated in Fig. 7, wherein the sling or sleeve 22 may be identical with that already described, but is supported by a double hook or the like as at 3| which engages in the eyelets 2| and is in turn supported by a wire or non-resilient cord or the like 32 attached to the end of a lever 33 at 34. This lever is pivoted at 35 to a mounting 36 secured to the ceiling of the treatment room and has a sleeve slidable upon the same and connected to a spring 38,-the sleeve 31 being controlled in position along the lever by means of a shifting device. The upper end of the spring is connected to a roller or wheel 39 rolling in a longitudinal slot 40 in a slot member 4| secured to the ceiling. The shifting device consists of a pair of handles 42 and 43 suspended from cords 44 and 45 passing over rollers 46 and 41 which in turn are suspended from the ceiling, and these cords are attached to the lower spring shift cords 48 and 49 which are secured to the slidable shifting member 31, and the cords 44 and 45 are also connected to upper spring shift cords 50 and 5| secured to the mounting of roller 39. It will 'thus be seen that upon pulling the handle 43 downwardly, the slidable member 31 and roller 39 will be drawn toward the right so that the spring 38 is increasingly effective to resist downward movement of lever 33, with the result that a greater weight of limb in the sling will be compensated. On the other hand, if handle 42 is pulled down, the spring 38 will be brought toward the left in the direction of the pivot point of the lever 33, so that this lever can be lowered more readily by a light weight of limb in the sling, and thus the weight can be adjusted at will to accommodate any patient. 7

In some cases it is desirable to avoid attaching anything to the ceiling, and if we return to the form of the apparatus first described in connection with Fig. 1, the hooks l are replaced by hooks 50 supported on a detachable cross bar 5| supported in turn in the upper ends of a pair of upright members 52, 52, the wing screws 53, 53 serving to retain the cross bar in place. The mentioned upright members 52' are preferably telescoped in the central upright hollow portions 54 in each of the stands or frames generally indicated at 55, and are adjustable in height and secured by the clamping of the upper ends of members 54 by means of wing screws 56. Members 54 are secured at their lower ends to bases 51 and held in position thereon in each case by side supports 58, 59 secured to the bases at their lower ends and to the central members at their upper ends. The anchor plates are connected to thehooks'50 at 2 as in the case of hooks I, While the resilient cords or strands are attached to the anchor plates as before, although but partly shown in Fig, 2for clarity. Disengagement of the cross bar by releasing screws 53 makes it immediately possible to shift each ofthe stands 55 out of the Way independently of the other after use. Obviously, other forms of stands or frames may be used as desired,

While I have stated that the cord or resilient member generally indicated by 3 is a single member, and it may well be so that its two ends l0 and H are not looped but furnished with hook anchors I2, the invention in all respects is just as operative if a pluralityof cords or stands are used, so long as they are well secured at the top so that they will not drop off.

In view of the actual scope of the invention, variations may be resorted to and parts and features may be used without others without departing from the principles disclosed herein.

Having now fully described my invention, I claim: r

1. Apparatus for treating abnormal conditions of the body members or extremities, comprising a support located above the member to be treated, a sling in the form of an open sleeve-member partly enclosing the body-member, and resiliently yielding means connecting saidlsupport and said sling "or sleeve member and allowing 'sub-- stantially weightless movements of said body member to be performed at will when supported by said sleeve member, said resiliently yielding means including a lever pivoted at one end, means connecting the other end to the sling or sleeve member, a slidable sleeve upon said lever, the support having a longitudinal slot, a roller member movablein said slot, an extensible resilient member connected at one end to said roller member and at the other to said slidable sleeve, a pair of spaced handle means for shifting said extensible resilient member toward either end of said lever and support, and means connecting said handle means to said roller member and slidable sleeve from respectively opposite directions so that manipulation of one handle means will oppose and neutralize adjustment effectedby manipulation of the other handle means.

2. Apparatus for treating abnormal conditions of the body limbs and/or extremities, comprising a support above the limb to be treated, a sling or sleeve member partly enclosing the same limb, and resiliently yielding means connecting said support and said sling or sleeve member, said resiliently yielding means including a plurality of pendent strands of live rubber connected to the support, and at least one freely suspended and independent guide member disposed a variable distance between the upper and lower ends of said strands through which said strands extend at different points for the purpose of separating the strands into distinct groups, and means allowing the lower end of at least one of the pendent strands of live rubber to be attached or detached to or from the sling member in order to adjust the resilience and lifting power while the remaining strands remain attached.

3. Apparatus for treating abnormal conditions of the body limbs and/or extremities, comprising a fixed point of support located above the limb to be treated, a sling or sleeve member partly enclosing the same limb, and resiliently yielding means connecting said point of support and said sling or sleeve member and allowing various substantially weightless movements at will, of. said limb when supported in said sling or sleeve member, and a perforated plate associated with the resiliently yielding means, said latter means consisting of a resilient cord or strand of live rubber doubled back on itself a plurality of times so as to be adjustable in degree of weight compensation andsecured at the upper end by means of said perforated plate to said fixed point of support and at the lower portion to hook members connected to a plurality of points of attachment along the edges of said sling or sleeve member.

4. Apparatus for treating abnormal conditions of the body limbs or exercising the same, comprising a support means extending or being located above the limb to be treated or exercised, a sling or sleeve member at least partly enclosing the same limb, a supporting structure connected to said support means above and to the sling or sleeve member below, resilient means in and forming at least part of said supporting structure, guide means associated with the resilient means for positioning the same, and means associated with said apparatus for varying the degree of resiliency of said resilient means so as to vary the weight compensation of the limb in order to adjust said supporting structure to cause the same to support any limb of whatever weight in substantially weightless condition and thereby allow free movements of the same in various directions unhampered by its own weight.

' GUSTAV A. ZERNE. 

